350-Mile Electric Car Could Arrive By 2017

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According to a report coming from the Los Angeles Times, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are looking for ways to further expand electric cars in the U.S. With the Energy Department already funding research in battery development, Chu believes building a car that can go from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on a single charge will be attainable by 2017. Currently, America builds just one percent of advanced batteries in the world.

With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more money will be invested in this research along with the creation of additional manufacturing plants and jobs. Chu is hoping the price of this type of EV will cost around $25,000 without federal subsidies. Los Angeles currently has 90 electric charging stations, but Mayor Villaraigosa has plans to build 400 more in and around the city.